Posterolateral corner reconstruction for posterolateral rotatory instability combined with posterior cruciate ligament injuries: comparison between fibular tunnel and tibial tunnel techniques

The aim of this study was to compare the results of two different methods of posterolateral corner reconstruction (fibular head tunnel versus tibial tunnel), performed at the same time as a posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Between January 1999 and October 2003, 47 patients underwent tensioning of a remnant posterior cruciate ligament and anterolateral bundle reconstruction along with a posterolateral corner reconstruction using a fibular head bone or tibial bone tunnel. Thirty-nine patients determined to be eligible were enrolled in this retrospective study after a minimum follow-up duration of 2 years. The average duration of follow-up was 35.3 months (range 24–70 months). Satisfactory results were achieved in 32 patients (82%) according to the International Knee Documentation Committee(IKDC) scores, and 29 patients (74%) had restored external rotational stability. The fibular head tunnel was superior to the tibial tunnel method in terms of operation time (43.0 ± 15.7 vs. 66.6 ± 9.4 min, respectively, P < 0.001) and improved rotational stability (85 vs. 65%, respectively, P = 0.007). However, there were no significant differences seen in anteroposterior stability and clinical assessments [Orthopädische Arbeitsgruppe Knie (OAK) P = 0.277 and IKDC scores P = 0.564]. In grade 2 chronic posterolateral rotatory instability with little or no varus instability associated with injury to the posterior cruciate ligament, a posterolateral reconstructive procedure with a single sling through the fibular tunnel offers advantages of less surgical morbidity and operation time, as well as better rotational stability, over reconstruction through the tibial tunnel.